Adeleke receives certificate of return, pledges N500m fund for victims

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…Promises scholarships for children of electoral violence victims

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By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

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OSOGBO — Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.

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The certificate was presented to Adeleke at a brief ceremony at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Osun State, Professor Kunle Ajani.

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Adeleke, who thanked the people of the state for renewing their mandate, said his victory was dedicated to the people who stood by him throughout the electoral process.

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He, however, called for sober reflection over the violence recorded during the election, which he said resulted in injuries, destruction of property and loss of lives.

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The governor announced that the state government would establish a N500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support verified victims and families affected by the violence.

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“This certificate does not belong to Ademola Adeleke alone. It belongs to the people of Osun State: our workers, market men and women, youths, traditional and religious leaders, and every citizen who participated in this democratic process.

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“I am deeply humbled by the confidence you have renewed in me,” he said.

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Adeleke also paid tribute to victims of electoral violence, including Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass and Kolade Eluyera.

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“But even in victory, we must be sober in reflection. Citizens were injured, properties and livelihoods were destroyed and, most painfully, precious lives were lost,” he said.

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He added: “Regardless of political affiliation, they were first our brothers, sisters and fellow citizens. To their families, your pain is our pain, and your loved ones will never be reduced to mere statistics.”

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The governor said a Verification and Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, would oversee the identification of verified victims and the distribution of relief.

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According to him, the intervention would be humanitarian rather than political.

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“No eligible victim will be excluded because of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status. In grief, there is no political party. In our common humanity, we are one people,” Adeleke said.

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At a separate reception organised by workers in his honour, the governor disclosed that the Adeleke family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, would provide full scholarships up to university level for children and dependants of those who lost their lives in the electoral violence.

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Adeleke also urged residents to put the election behind them and unite for the development of the state.

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“The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build,” he said.

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He assured residents that his administration would continue to focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development, with emphasis on accountability, inclusion and transparency.

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The governor later received a rousing welcome from workers who gathered to celebrate his return for a second term.

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